Hawaii Signs Bill to Uphold Paris Climate Accord

On Tuesday, Hawaii became the first state to pass legislation that upholds the goals of the Paris Climate Accord.

The act comes in the wake of President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Accord, and signals the state's continued dedication to combatting climate change.

David Y. Ige, the state's governor, signed two climate bills in Honolulu on Tuesday, one geared at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Paris Agreement and a second dedicated to improving soil health and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

With climate change directly threatening the island state, it comes as no surprise that politicians and citizens alike are worried about the future.

According to an EPA report, Hawaii faces a shortage of fresh water, an increase in ocean acidification and warming, and a severe loss of shoreline and coral reefs if nothing is done about climate change.

"Many of the greatest challenges of our day hit us first, and that means that we also need to be first when it comes to creating solutions," Mr. Ige said before the signing.

"We are the testing grounds — as an island state, we are especially aware of the limits of our natural environment…Climate change is real, regardless of what others may say."

Hawaii is one of ten states that have joined the US Climate Alliance, a coalition of cities and states that are dedicated to upholding the goals and limits of the Paris Accord, despite what the federal government does.

At least the Trump Administration's withdrawal from reality has kicked Hawaii and other members of the US Climate Alliance into the future.